Category: Forests

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Hiking Deafy Glade to Summit Springs

Once you climb high enough, you look out into the Sacramento Valley from the Deafy Glade Trail.
Once you climb high enough, you look out into the Sacramento Valley from the Deafy Glade Trail.

There is an update to Deafy Glade trail that will be posed here. If you are contemplating doing this hike, I recommend you read the post when it is published. There are some safety concerns and trail hazards you need to be aware of.

Deafy Glade Trail is a butt kicker. After about a mile in and a creek crossing, it’s 3.5 miles of climbing that pulls on your calves, hamstrings and other lower body muscles. If you want buns of steel, this trail can make it happen for you. The view from the top where the Deafy Glade Trail meets the Summit Springs Trail offers views down into the Sacramento Valley and even the Sutter Buttes on a clear day.

Continue reading “Hiking Deafy Glade to Summit Springs”

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Hiking to Lake Margaret

Lake Margaret is surrounded by granite on most of its shores.
Lake Margaret is surrounded by granite on most of its shores.

Lake Margaret is a beautiful back country lake in the Eldorado National Forest just 2.5 miles from the trailhead.

But don’t let that short mileage fool you. While the hike is pleasant and moves through forested areas, next to small bodies of water, and during the right time of year it is very flowery and green. There are, however, some challenges to overcome. Continue reading “Hiking to Lake Margaret”

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Hiking to Scott’s Lake is full of Fall Color

The fall color along the trail to Scott's Lake can be unbelievable.
The fall color along the trail to Scott’s Lake can be unbelievable.

If you hike the trail to Scott’s Lake in the fall when the aspens are turning color, it will knock your socks off.

The hike starts off at the trailhead parking lot just off Highway 89 on Luther Pass, which is part of the larger Tahoe Rim Trail. You hike a pleasant .1 a mile before you come upon Highway 89 and have to cross it. Listen for traffic, as you should be able to hear it before you can see it coming around the two corners. Continue reading “Hiking to Scott’s Lake is full of Fall Color”

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Hiking Lyons Creek Trailhead to Lake Sylvia

Lake Sylvia with its clear water sits up high at 8050 feet in Desolation Wilderness.
Lake Sylvia with its clear water sits up high at 8050 feet in Desolation Wilderness.

Lake Sylvia is a beautiful lake at 8050 feet in the Sierra Nevadas at the base of Pyramid Peak. The lake is small and beautiful, and the water is clear. It’s also idyllic and lined by pine trees on all but the northeast end, where you can look up at Pyramid Peak.

Continue reading “Hiking Lyons Creek Trailhead to Lake Sylvia”

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Hiking Fleming Trail Loop in Eldorado National Forest

Hiking among the trees on the Fleming Loop in the Eldorado National Forest is a place that offers peaceful contemplation.
Hiking among the trees on the Fleming Loop in the Eldorado National Forest is a place that offers peaceful contemplation.

If you’re in the frame of mind for this type of trail, the Fleming Meadow Loop rocks. There are no sweeping vistas, not an abundance of wildflowers or much running water – just a hike among the trees in some areas with very dense forest. My experience was awesome for contemplation and meditation.

The Fleming Meadow Loop in the Eldorado National Forest is one of the best marked and maintained trails I’ve come across in a national forest. When you hike Trail 8, you will come across many junctions with roads and other trails, but Trail 8 is marked so it is easy to follow. This trail is taken advantage of by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrian riders and the locals who know its secret. Continue reading “Hiking Fleming Trail Loop in Eldorado National Forest”

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Trash on Public Lands

Though difficult to see in this photograph, hundreds of shotgun shells and trash litter the Blue Gouge Mine area in the Eldorado National Forest.
Though difficult to see in this photograph, hundreds of shotgun shells and trash litter the Blue Gouge Mine area in the Eldorado National Forest.

A little rant today: over the Fourth of July Holiday, I went hiking on the Fleming Trail System in the Eldorado National Forest. I’ll post a summary about it later. While on that hike, I ventured into another area down the Blue Gouge Mine Road, which is the Yin to the Flemming Trail System’s Yang, and I was appalled by the trash on public lands I encountered.

Some of the road is on private land and then moves onto public land, and I was appalled by what I saw on both public and private land. What happens on private land is up to the landowner as long as it’s legal, so I don’t have much to comment about there, but what I saw on public land infuriated me. Continue reading “Trash on Public Lands”

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Hiking to Feather Falls

Feather Falls in Butte County plummets more than 400 feet down into the Feather River.
Feather Falls in Butte County plummets more than 400 feet down into the Feather River.

How can you be a hiker in Northern California and not hike to Feather Falls? The falls are an awesome to sight to behold, and the hike isn’t so bad either – depending on when you go and the condition of the trail. At about .4 miles from the trailhead, you’ll have decision to make when you come to fork.

If you want to make a loop out of this hike, it might be best to go to the left, as the trail will head downhill. Coming back up this way could be strenuous. If you do decide to come back up this way, there are a series of benches along the trail for resting. This way is shorter taking about 3.3 miles to get to the overlook. Continue reading “Hiking to Feather Falls”

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Hiking Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Mt. Lassen through a smokey haze from Prospect Peak.
Mt. Lassen through a smokey haze from Prospect Peak.

What makes the hike up to Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park worth the effort are the views from the 8340-foot summit. First, I have to admit, the views would have been spectacular when I was there, but there were several wildfires burning at the time. The Carr Fire near Redding and the Whaleback Fire near Susanville along with others in the state made for very hazy views when the wind blew in the smoke. Continue reading “Hiking Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park”

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